Coming As God

As Jesus arrives at the temple on the day that Psalm 118 describes, He overturns the tables of the money changers, and fulfills the prophecies that were written for Him. When Jesus orchestrated this event, it was for the purpose of declaring who He is and the reason that He came to earth. Throughout the Hebrew scriptures, we find that there are many places where we are told that the future Messiah will be God Himself—living within the body of a man.

The Messiah will be presented to Israel as “your God.”

Isaiah 40:9 O Zion, You who bring good tidings, Get up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, You who bring good tidings, Lift up your voice with strength, Lift it up, be not afraid; Say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!”

New Testament Fulfillment:

John 1:29-36 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.” And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.” Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!”

John 19:14 Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover, and about the sixth hour. And Pilate said to the Jews, “Behold your King!”

John 10:30-33 “I and My Father are one.” Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. Jesus answered them, “Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?” The Jews answered Him, saying, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.”

Behold Your God

In the Hebrew Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4), God is proclaimed as One: Hear O’ Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One.

By His statement in John 10:30 (above), “I and My Father are one,” Jesus is declaring that He is equal to God. This expression also distinguishes Him as a separate person from the Father and the Holy Spirit—as a basis for the Trinity. Throughout the narrative of the New Testament, Jesus is defined as a separate and distinct person whom the Bible repeatedly describes as God. There was no mistake in the hearing of the leaders of Israel. Jesus was not simply describing His agreement with the Father as one in thought and purpose. Jesus was declaring that He is the Eternal God. According to Leviticus 24:16, this was clearly blasphemy and demanded immediate action on their part.

Leviticus 24:16 And whoever blasphemes the name of the LORD shall surely be put to death. All the congregation shall certainly stone him, the stranger as well as him who is born in the land. When he blasphemes the name of the LORD, he shall be put to death.

It was because of His claim to be God that the Jews picked up stones to kill Jesus. If it was not the intention of Jesus to convey His assertion that He is God, He would have quickly stated that they had misunderstood Him.

Jesus further clarifies His meaning by using a fortiori argument from Psalms 82:6 to further clarify His statement:[1]

Psalms 82:6 I said, “You are gods, And all of you are children of the Most High.

John 10:34-36 Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, “I said, ‘You are gods” ’? 35 If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), 36 do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, “You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?

In Psalms 82:6, God is speaking to a group of beings who stand in the place of God as judges of men (Psalm 82:1-2), whom He refers to as “gods” (elohim) and “sons of the Most High (angels).” If God can apply this term to mortal men or angels, how could these leaders of Israel accuse Jesus of blasphemy?

Jesus continues:

John 10:35 If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), 36 do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, “You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? 37 If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; 38 but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.”

By Jesus statement; the Scriptures cannot be broken, Jesus is asserting that this very Psalm (82:6) was written specifically for Him, for this day—when He would stand before the leaders of Israel and be misunderstood. God has given the power of judgement to certain men on the earth. As they exercise their authority to declare life or death in the affairs of to those whom they judge—they possess a right that belongs to God alone. In this regard, these men are seen as “gods” (judges).

When Jesus returns to earth with His church, certain of these individuals will be judging as rulers of the earth—with Jesus. Paul described this fact when he wrote to the church of Corinth.

Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 1 Corinthians 6:2

During the one thousand year reign of Jesus on the earth, those who have been faithful to Him during their earthly life, and who return with Jesus upon His return to earth, will be appointed as kings and priests over those who survive the seven year tribulation, as mortals. To these people on the earth; the redeemed of the Lord, who are ruling in the affairs of their life, these persons will be seen as “gods” (judges).

Jesus is coming to represent God to the world. He comes with authority over sin and death. He will prove this right in a short time as He allows evil men to crucify Him. On the third day—according to the Scriptures, Jesus will raise Himself from the dead and publicly demonstrate His authority as the Eternal God.

This discourse between Jesus and the leaders of Israel—stands as a solid proof of His clear assertion that He is God. There is no mistake in what Jesus is claiming about Himself. There was great opportunity for Jesus to clarify His statements and intents. At every juncture, Jesus continually stipulates that He is God.

In the New Testament, there are several occurrences where the Greek word for God, Theos, is used. Most often, this word is used only in describing the Father. However, there are several places in the New Testament where Theos is also used to describe Jesus Christ.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word (Jesus) , and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (Theos).[2]

Romans 9:5 of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God (Theos). Amen.

Hebrews 1:8 But to the Son (Jesus) He says: “Your throne, O God (Theos), is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.”

In the Old Testament, the term Lord in Hebrew is Yahweh.[3]

In the New Testament, the word Lord in Greek is Kyrios.[4]

Kyrios is often used as a polite way to address a person, such as when we address a man today as sir. It can also mean master, as in one who rules over a servant or slave. The Greek translation of the Old Testament—called the Septuagint, was widely used during the time that Jesus was here on the earth. The word Kyrios or Lord was understood as Yahweh or Jehovah. The Greek Old Testament translates Kyrios as Lord, 6,814 times.

When we arrive at the New Testament, there are also many occasions where Lord (Kyrios) is used to describe Jesus. This is for good reason. The writers of the New Testament were attributing the title of Jehovah God to Jesus Christ, unmistakably. It was well understood at the writing of the New Testament that Jesus Christ is Yahweh or God Himself. Why the Jehovah’s Witness church has claimed that Jesus Christ is not Jehovah God is a great mystery. They did not come to this conclusion by the evidence of the Old and New Testament scriptures. The translators of the New Testament understood that Jehovah God and Jesus are one and the same person. Further, it is clear that those who walked-with, talked-with, and knew Jesus, understood and believed that He is the eternal, Jehovah-God or Yahweh, of the Old Testament.

John 20:28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”

Titus 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ…

Hebrews 1:8 But to the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever

The first thirty years of Jesus’ life here on earth were, by appearance, as normal as any other human being. Later when Jesus began to teach in the temple and the synagogues, the people who had known Him all of His life were amazed at the authority in which He spoke. Jesus did not teach as other Rabbis taught—who quoted the words of more notable Rabbis. Jesus spoke with His own authority, as if the words He declared were those of God Himself. Of course, this is the entire point—it was God who was speaking.

Jesus is referred to as The Logos, in the Greek language. The definition of Logos is the literal spoken word of God. To illustrate what the Logos is, we must go back to the first line of text in the Bible that declares In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. When the Son of God, the Logos, determined to create the universe, He simply spoke. The power of the Logos is seen in this first verse of scripture. Could any of us possibly image the authority of those words which Jesus spoke on the day He called the universe into existence? When the Logos spoke, all the elements were created and formed into the matter that would make up every star, planet, galaxy and particle in this immense universe—which we have only recently begun to understand.

We see an elemental part of the Logos in our own words. We have the power to create or destroy by the words that we speak. A few kind and loving words can cause another human being to be transformed into a happy and fulfilled person. In the same way, harsh words of criticism, ridicule, or hatred may destroy those we speak to and cause them a lifetime of pain and suffering. Because we are made in the image of God, we exhibit many of the same characteristics of God, although very limited in comparison to the power and capabilities of God Himself. It is possible in eternity, as we are delivered from the presence and power of sin and become perfect, that we may also have increased creative power by the use of our words.

Mark 11:23 (Jesus speaking) For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, “Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.

It is by words that God has chosen to reveal Himself to us. Through the written word, the Logos, the living word of God—is made known to us, by Jesus Christ.

God has left to us a record of revelation for who He is, what He requires, and how He will bring to finality—everything that exists. God chose to reveal who He is, by the Logos, His own dear Son.[5] He has not left us with any other method or means by which we can know Him, or be saved. All that we can know about God, is through His words which He has delivered to men and commanded them to record and distribute to every person who desires to know the One true and Eternal God.

Before Jesus came to Bethlehem and was born as a human being, He was God, the eternal Spirit. At His birth, He took the body of a man and died for all human beings as a man. It was impossible that Jesus could offer His life for all of us unless He first become one of us. It was His relationship with us as a human being which qualified Him to be the Savior of the world. It was also because He is the eternal God dwelling within the body of a man which defines His life as one of such infinite value that it was sufficient to pay for the lives of all people. Jesus’ sacrifice for sin was so valuable that it was more than enough to pay the high cost of every sin that has been committed on this planet. Jesus has the authority to bestow eternal life upon all those who hear the gospel, obey it, and are subsequently saved.

Today, sitting on the throne of God in heaven—is a man. God came to dwell with us in the body of Jesus Christ and He will apparently remain a man forever. After Jesus was resurrected, when He met the disciples on the road to Emmaus, He was not recognizable by those who accompanied Him. It was only after Jesus stretched out His hands to offer the men bread, that they saw the puncture wounds in His wrists that identified Him as Jesus.

Luke 24:30-31 Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.

After Jesus was resurrected, Mary also did not recognize Him. It was not until after Jesus spoke Mary’s name that she turned and realized He was the resurrected Lord. It is certainly reasonable that Mary was not able to identify Jesus after His resurrection because the wounds He had suffered during His crucifixion had left Him so badly disfigured.

John 20:14-16 Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!

It is truly an amazing revelation that Jesus has retained the scars from His torture and death, even after His resurrection. This must be a unique and distinct characteristic that only Jesus has. There is no indication that any of us who will be raised from the dead will bear the marks of our former earthly life. We can only speculate that the reason Jesus will retain His scars is so that we might be reminded for eternity, what He has done for us.

Isaiah described the stunning disfigurement of the Messiah in chapter 52.

Isaiah 52:14 Just as many were astonished at you, So His visage was marred more than any man, And His form more than the sons of men…

After His resurrection, Jesus still had the nail prints in His hands and feet:

John 20:25-27 The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”

He had flesh and bones:

Luke 24:39 “Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.”

Jesus is able to remove every scar from your life and take away every terrible thing that has been done to you. Yet for Himself, He will not rid His face and body of the scars which resulted from the torture He endured when He died for us. These wounds of disfigurement will forever remind us of the tremendous suffering which He endured and the great love that He has for every person.

The following story illustrates the beauty of Jesus’ disfigurement and what it will mean to us throughout eternity:

There was a little girl who was under constant ridicule from her classmates over the appearance of her mother’s face. It seems that when this girl was a baby, her mother’s face was badly burned in a house fire.

As the little girl became a older, she asked her mother how the scars on her face happened. Her mother explained that during a fire that occurred in their house, when she went into the room where her baby daughter was sleeping, the room was on fire. In rescuing her little girl, she sustained the horrible burns and subsequent scars that remained on her face.

The young girl later wrote that upon learning what her mother had done for her and how she had suffered such great pain and suffering in the process of saving her, she had become disfigured, From that moment on, she said that her mother was the most beautiful woman she had ever seen.[6]

The God who commanded the elements of the universe to assemble and brought them together in order and beauty—so that we might have a home, later came into our burning house and carried us out unharmed. The scars that Jesus will bear for eternity will allow our eternal gaze upon His face in remembrance of His great suffering, as He publicly displayed His love for each one of us.

In eternity, every moment that we gaze upon Jesus face, we will be reminded that our Lord was willing to disfigure Himself for eternity—in order to save us. How great is the mercy of our gracious God.

The context of this prophecy from Isaiah 4:3, is clearly describing the Lord of all Creation who appeared on earth to walk amongst us in the form of the Messiah.

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[1] Fortiori Statement: An example used with greater reason or more convincing force —used in drawing a conclusion that is inferred to be even more certain than another. Merriam Webster’s Dictionary, 2014
[2] Strong’s Concordance of Greek words #2316 and and Englishman’s Concordance of Greek Words.
[3] Strong’s Hebrew Concordance # 3068
[4] Strong’s Greek Concordance # 2962
[5] Hebrews Chapter 1
[6] The source of this story is unknown. It came from my personal notes over the course of the years. If you know the author, please email me at pastorobrobinson@gmail.com so that I might give proper attribution to the author.